What Is Really Driving the Decline In Subscriptions?

[Skystalker]

With all of the subscription hubbub, I fear that Matty may take the wrong lesson from this.

It seems, for example, that Matty believes the decline in subs is due to price increases on the figures themselves and character selection. But based on this forum, that doesn't seem to be the case. Price increases, as I note below, seem only to be pricing international fans out in any large number (which is not insignificant, of course).

Instead, the decline seems to be mainly because of incompetence from Digital River and the failure to do things such as adding day of sale items to a sub order. And, secondarily, the ridiculous shipping and customs charges, and not the prices of the actual figures, seem to be driving out international fans.

Am I wrong on this? I just don't want Scott and Mattel to learn the wrong lesson. At the very least, character selection seems to be the absolute least significant reason for the sub decrease.

[DO4M]

I think it's a combination of price increases (especially for International fans), the no guarantees for internationals if their items get lost if they don't choose DHL (closely tied to the price issue), CS Issues (dealing with DR can be a pain in the neck!), and people that don't think that swallowing a second sub is worth it to have an extra Ram Man, due to the virtually zero DOS stock... Also, a 3 pack is NOT the best idea when you do a price increase... (nothing against the FFM, but a 3 pack is still a 3 pack and those suckers are expensive!)

[EtherianChronicles]

It's a combination of things.

Don't discount character selection; people are mentioning it over and over. "I didn't sub because of FF this year, or SS last year". Or, "I'm sick of getting all these figures, when I only get one or two that I really want - I don't mind collecting all, but when I get so few of my favorites (PoP/TGR,NA, etc.) and so many made up characters, I don't feel a sub is worth it."

That said, Scott is really driving the "$5 increase" as the reason people aren't subbing, because he's trying to save his job/future career. He wants to be able to say, "It's the price that is driving people away", when in truth, it's his poor decisions and his poor management that is doing it. Five bucks is a big increase, but aside from International fans (adding all the other costs for them that have gone up), it's not keeping people from subbing. It's about people not wanting to spend $90+ (with shipping and taxes) on a 3-pack of figures that maybe 1 out of 100 people asked for as a priority, or about the fact he has lied so many times about fixes at Digital River that never happen (where is my sub page that was a "few weeks away" seven months ago?), or even just the ridiculousness of a sub model to begin with.

Scott wants the executives to think it's simply the price increases, to save his own skin (and a cheap attempt to absolve himself of fault).

[Crusader]

Character selection is without a doubt the reason why so many people are abandoning the line. The 'hardcore' fans need to realize that the majority of MOTU collecters isn't interested in having every character or every era.

It's not the only reason, but I wouldn't pass it off as the least significant one. I'm not going to pay heaps of money and get characters I don't want in the hopes of someday getting the characters I do want. Just hearing that there are going to be 2 NA characters instead of one makes me regret having subscribed even more than the price increase did.

And let's not forget the QC. These toys are not high quality collector's items and haven't deserved their price tag.

[Colder Soldier]

There should have been a lil bit more fairness in the factions over the past couple of years. Sorry to say, but Ram Man and Mekaneck should have been some of the last to come out.

[Arkangel]

I think it's a combination of price increases (especially for International fans), the no guarantees for internationals if their items get lost if they don't choose DHL (closely tied to the price issue), CS Issues (dealing with DR can be a pain in the neck!), and people that don't think that swallowing a second sub is worth it to have an extra Ram Man, due to the virtually zero DOS stock... Also, a 3 pack is NOT the best idea when you do a price increase... (nothing against the FFM, but a 3 pack is still a 3 pack and those suckers are expensive!)

There is also the space issue and the Customs problem ...

[Colder Soldier]

Price is also a huge factor.

[redsquadron]

Everyone being skint?

TG is quick to use economic woes as a defence for the MOTUC price hike (which I'm happy to accept as gospel), but doesn't seem willing to acknowledge that passing said price hike onto us won't be without consequences and that we should carry on buying as we always have.

[Faker78]

Honestly for us international buyers this sub is a suicide.
First the cost of shipping with DHL, because if Mattel does not reimburse or make a new shipment for orders lost by USPS, well I really do not I take this risk.
Then as I always said there were too many outputs and many secondary characters and unnecessary, there is no denying that most here want the vintage.
Scott, you make a sub of only 12 figures a year and see how everyone can deal with this expense, we note that in times of economic crisis and spend money to people you do not like or that no one has ever known, not many people do.
For me the medicine would be a return to origins, a figure per month! Especially in these sad times.

[Crusader]

If there is a decline, it's do to all the MOTU purists already getting pretty much every figure they want.

There should have been a lil bit more fairness in the factions over the past couple of years. Sorry to say, but Ram Man and Mekaneck should have been some of the last to come out.

That wouldn't have done any good since the success of the line is still based on the amount of subscriptions and not even people who want Ram Man beyond anything else won't spend 500$ + shipping for a whole year of stuff they don't care about. The all-encompassing crowd is just too small to keep the line going.

[krosfyah]

yep as many said it's a combination of things, I think 2012 was by and large a BAD experience for people so far. On this board at least I've heard a lot of people saying they won't sub again or they are cutting their subs for various reasons, Character selection (esp the star sisters and the 30th sub) DR problems, PR problems (scott's attitude) And I THEORIZE the story direction (particularly the bios and the insertion of TMS) has turned people off.

- - - Updated - - -

If there is a decline, it's do to all the MOTU purists already getting pretty much every figure they want.

There should have been a lil bit more fairness in the factions over the past couple of years. Sorry to say, but Ram Man and Mekaneck should have been some of the last to come out.

there are SO many complaints about concept figures and most of the 30th anniversary line and prototype figures. most people feel that DILUTING the line with these characters that no one has a connection to (just look at the backlash over Vykron) is a major factor in the decline. Sorry but the facts are MOTU has the biggest fanbase then PoP then NA. "vintage purists" though being catered to the most, don't like characters that weren't in the vintage line. By definition they only want toys that were toys in the original line.

[Arkangel]

Honestly for us international buyers this sub is a suicide.
First the cost of shipping with DHL, because if Mattel does not reimburse or make a new shipment for orders lost by USPS, well I really do not I take this risk.
Then as I always said there were too many outputs and many secondary characters and unnecessary, there is no denying that most here want the vintage.
Scott, you make a sub of only 12 figures a year and see how everyone can deal with this expense, we note that in times of economic crisis and spend money to people you do not like or that no one has ever known, not many people do.
For me the medicine would be a return to origins, a figure per month! Especially in these sad times.

quoted for truth

[Snake Hunter]

- Price increase
- Netossa not getting all the items (POP figures undervalued)
- The MOTUC 1st years false sellouts, a lot of scalpers bought too much subs, but there was no so much real demand, so now the real buyers appears, so there are less subs.
- New characters of poor quality (King He-Man)
- Unrequested variants (Filmation King Randor) before very requested variants (200X King Randor)
- No vehicles, No beasts: This gives the impression the line is about just figures, the completist collectors want to get all from vintage and will never complete the collections without beast, so they leave a collection that they´ll never complete.

[Orko's Magic Hat]

For me - my hesitance is due to the price + shipping terms - nothing else. My dealings with DR have been reasonable - nothing to moan about and my Quality issues are not major - this year I have seen an improvement in quality - tighter joints, cleaner apps etc.

So for me it is price.

[Agent Gibbs]

The economy and everyone tightening their belt which coupled with Bloating of the line (12 monthly figs, 4 beasts e variants - yes its lower but not low enough for the majority) is a problem

Digital river - Poor/no customer service, shipping times, shipping cost, altered shipping companies being poorer, problems getting refunds/replacement both internationally and US based

Genrerally - The poor quality control; reversed parts etc, figure choices to an extent, and three packs (but this relates to the first point)

[ksensor]

There is also the space issue and the Customs problem ...

Glad someone else mentioned the space issue.

DR could be perfect, QC could be perfect, and costs could be cheaper, but people would still be running low on space. "I just don't have anywhere to put it!" is something every collector runs into eventually, and it's sure to turn subscribers into cherry pickers.

[Woodland Warrior]

As one of the supposed "minority" of international subbers (who has been here from the start of the line), I haven't renewed this year.
Main reason is cost and being unable to track the packages.
However, character selection is a factor too.
I love the line and would have taken the plunge for Glimmer and the Horde Troopers or a Two Bad 3 pack but Netossa and 3 guys from box art??? No chance.
When you throw in turkeys like the original Snake MAA from last year and issues like Stinkor's forearms, it's not hard to see why people are talking with their wallets.

[Berserker79]

Character selection is without a doubt the reason why so many people are abandoning the line. The 'hardcore' fans need to realize that the majority of MOTU collecters isn't interested in having every character or every era.

True. I personally know 3 guys, who aren't active on fansite boards but aware of the line and they say, that they want the figures, they grew up with. When I remember back in school, all friends had vintage figures, so I think, the vintage stuff is the most essential in this line for most casual customers.

So I think, character selection, is what kills this line. I don't think, people won't buy Ram Man for 30$, when they have a chance on completing their vintage core heroic faction. And if the 3- pack would be the Horde Troopers, I think many would forget the 75$ price tag...

[TJRules]

While ordering from Mattycollector is the cheapest way for me to go, (usually) the shipping price and time of things being sent is sooooooo dannnnnnnggg slllllllooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww... I can order something from Evilbay or BBTS and it gets to me in half the time for less shipping cost. You end up paying more for the figure, but if it gets you out of buying stuff you don't want...

Price increase
Shippinng costs/arrival time
Digital River
Not telling us more of what's included in 2013 sub (only to March, really?!?!)

equals no sub for me.

[WDWFreak53]

I would say that it all comes down to money...and the majority of the time...it does.

1. Shipping costs (especially for the international customers)
2. Price Increase. I know that TG is saying that they've kept the same price since 2008 and they need to up the prices but a 25% increase in a single year seems like a lot (even though people need to realize that it's a 25% increase over 5 years) I understand it.
3. Mattel took a big risk and it didn't seem to pay off by making a 3-pack of new figures of obscure characters which costs $75. If this wasn't a part of the sub...then I'd be ok with it but to be forced to purchase this set is a little ridiculous (especially when the Star Sisters (which were a lot cheaper) and in high demand got so much backlash! This is just a case of Mattel not learning from previous mistakes)

In reality, 2014 does seem like it will end...but not due to interest in the line. Due to the constant rising costs making them not worth it.
Actually...I foresee most toy-lines ending rather soon.

Going into a toy aisle and seeing a figure on the shelf for $20 is going to turn parents off. They're not going to want their kids getting interested in a line to collect when each figure is +$20.
You can buy 2-3 guys...or the newest video game. What do you think kids will pick?

So, the only reason, IMO, that is Mattel's "fault" is the decision to put the Fighting Foe Men into the subscription.
(And, for the record, I actually LOVE these guys and I'm really looking forward to them...and this set doesn't feel as "cheap" as the Star Sisters due to the amount of accessories).
These guys should've been this year's "Granamyr."

Mattel, going forward...can you make it a rule that any item over $50 should be separate from the sub?

- - - Updated - - -

Not telling us more of what's included in 2013 sub (only to March, really?!?!)

equals no sub for me.

This is no different from any other year. SDCC has always just gone to the March figure... (If I recall correctly)

[TJRules]

This is no different from any other year. SDCC has always just gone to the March figure... (If I recall correctly)

Yup, and still not getting the sub THIS year either. Just like all the others. What I'm saying is that if they revealed a little more, it might help people decide who are on the fence about it.

[Delthaindia]

Reagan Neo Liberalism?
just guessing

[jibernish]

With all of the subscription hubbub, I fear that Matty may take the wrong lesson from this.

It seems, for example, that Matty believes the decline in subs is due to price increases on the figures themselves and character selection. But based on this forum, that doesn't seem to be the case. Price increases, as I note below, seem only to be pricing international fans out in any large number (which is not insignificant, of course).

Instead, the decline seems to be mainly because of incompetence from Digital River and the failure to do things such as adding day of sale items to a sub order. And, secondarily, the ridiculous shipping and customs charges, and not the prices of the actual figures, seem to be driving out international fans.

Am I wrong on this? I just don't want Scott and Mattel to learn the wrong lesson. At the very least, character selection seems to be the absolute least significant reason for the sub decrease.

Mattel is going to pass the buck as much as they can. If you pay attention to what Mattel and TG have said since day 1, they pretty much always put the blame on us. I am actually floored that they reworked 2014 instead of charging on with their stubborn ways. Maybe they have finally started to listen to us, even if just a little.

[musclor]

I almost cut my two subs to one this year before I decided to keep both to support the line. The main reason? Qc. I received two snout spouts - both with broken trunks in the package and they couldn't be replaced because there was no qc stock. Both of my robotos have majorly cracked torsos. My goddess figure is broken.... It has just become a huge downer to the whole collection...

Secondly, character selection was an issue for me, but NOT in the way many are saying. I thought that 2012 was far too vintage motu heavy. I wanted more pop and obscure figures (where are the freaking mini comics characters?!?). I will definitely drop down to one sub for 2014. That year sounds downright boring to me now...

[WDWFreak53]

Yup, and still not getting the sub THIS year either. Just like all the others. What I'm saying is that if they revealed a little more, it might help people decide who are on the fence about it.

What if they released one more figure? Would you buy? I'm only asking because I was thinking that it may have pushed people over the edge right before the Sub deadline passes.